Electrically conductive mask-lame connector for sport fencing

ABSTRACT

Electrically conductive apparatus obviates the need for a traditional fencing “Mask Cord” while still permitting a satisfactorily resilient connection between a conventional electric fencing Mask and a target vest/jacket (“Lame”), and offers many advantages including “effortless” connectivity and positioning—in a preferred embodiment, situated between a conventional fencing Mask Bib and Lame—whereby enhanced safety is achieved during play by making the Mask even harder to tip upwards, thereby reducing the chances for injury due to neck exposure.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/304,941 filed Mar. 8, 2016, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The device of this disclosure relates to an improved, electrically conductive connector for the sport of fencing that can obviate the need for the traditional Mask Cord which—in its current form—has numerous disadvantages and is currently required in both Foil and Sabre fencing competitions in the United States and in many other countries.

As we are well-entrenched in the first quarter of the 21st century, it is readily notable to those skilled in the art that for many decades already, the sport of fencing has incorporated electronic scoring systems into all levels of competition and even into practice play, as well. Whereas there are currently three versions of fencing—Foil, Sabre and Epee—with each having its own distinctive valid target area, only one type of fencing, Epee, designates the entire body as valid target area and, accordingly, does not require any electrically conductive “target jacket” which is commonly known within the fencing community as a “Lame” (pronounced “lah-MAY”, stressing the second syllable). Sabre and Foil Lames are easily distinguishable from each other since Sabre Lames have arm sleeves, as arms are valid target areas, whereas Foil Lames are sleeveless, as arms are not valid target areas in Foil fencing.

The electrically conductive Lame serves two functions for Foil and Sabre fencers: 1) it delineates valid target area; and 2) it permits the electrical registration of valid points (“touches”) scored—as distinguished from invalid touches which strike an opponent “off-target”, or “missed” touches that don't strike the opponent at all. Such an electronic scoring system enhances the capability of the referee (“Director”) to more accurately score a fencing match (“bout”) than typically can be achieved without an electrical system. Part of the reason this is true is that as a result of the introduction of electronic scoring, the Director has been freed from having to focus on the vitally important questions of whether: 1) a touch landed at all; and 2) if a touch did land, did the touch land on valid target area. Even after the completion of the aforementioned first two-prongs of the analysis leading to the awarding of a point in Foil or Sabre fencing, there is yet another factor that must be analyzed, that being “right-of-way”, which relates to the interpretation as to which competitor (if any) has acquired the “right” to be awarded a point and/or to deprive the opponent of the right to be awarded a point. It is only through interpreting the action through the filter of complex right-of-way rules that the proper awarding of points can be effected when the awarding of points is warranted.

The Lame is removably connected to one portion of a triple-ended-connector “Body Cord”, which is an electrically conductive wire that typically gets strung along the inside of a fencing uniform. A first connector of a three-sectioned Body Cord is most commonly an alligator-type clip and it gets connected to the Lame; a second connector (not an alligator clip; usually a pronged adaptor) of a Body Cord gets plugged into a fencer's own weapon; and the third connector, plugs into a retractable wire that's part of a “Floor Reel” (“Reel”). There are two Reels used in a fencing bout, one for each fencer, and the Reels get positioned at each end of the fencing “court” area (“the strip”) which is a long, thin rectangle. Each Reel is connected via electric cord to a scoring indicator machine centrally situated between the two Floor Reels. Thus, when one fencer's weapon makes contact with the electrified Lame of his or her opponent, an electrical circuit gets completed, causing the Central Scoring Machine to issue an alert (commonly of both sound and light), signaling that a touch has landed. In Foil, a touch may register despite being invalid, but in Sabre, only valid touches register.

Historically, for many years, only the torso had constituted valid target area in Foil fencing, so the head and limbs were excluded as valid targets. However, a problem was identified which recognized that in protecting the heads of Foil fencers, the Foil masks were (reasonably) manufactured with an integrally attached, non-removeable fabric bib that protruded from the chin-section of the mask down towards the chest area in order to best protect a fencer's throat/neck area. Since masks in Foil were not valid target area, no part of a Foil Mask was produced with any electrically conductive properties. The enhanced—and very reasonable—neck protection was determined to be problematic because the non-electrically conductive Foil Mask Bibs obscured otherwise valid target area on the upper-chest/throat area and would not register any touches as “valid” if an opponent's weapon landed there.

Early in the second decade of the 21^(st) Century, a resolution was introduced to remedy this problem of the Foil mask bib's unacceptably shielding of valid target area through its exercising its protective function. In the United States, the executive committee of the United States Fencing Association (“USFA”) executed a rules change which required that Foil Mask Bibs be electrically conductive, thereby turning the neck area into a valid target area by virtue of electrifying the Foil Mask Bib area that historically had obscured this otherwise valid target area. This ruling also had the further effect of rendering many already in-use Foil masks “unusable”, as the overwhelming majority of Foil Mask Bibs that had been manufactured by that time had been traditionally attached to Foil Masks in a permanent, unremoveable fashion. Since new, electrically conductive bibs could not be substituted for the original, non-electrically conductive bibs that were originally part of the Foil mask, many Foil masks became useless for competition, albeit still useful solely in non-electric practice. Thereafter, Foil masks also ceased their resemblance to Epee masks, which are not electrically conductive at all because no electrically conductive target-identifying garments are required in Epee as the entire body is valid target area. Thereafter, to the contrary, Foil Masks more closely resembled Sabre Masks, which traditionally have incorporated electrically conductive bibs because both the entire head and Bib areas constitute valid target areas. After this USFA ruling went into effect, all Foil Masks had to have electrically conductive Bibs for all USFA sanctioned competitions in the United States. This rules change in Foil fencing necessitated even further equipment changes. For the first time in Foil, valid touches landed upon the Foil Mask Bib, needed to be communicated to the Central Scoring Machine and this communication was effected by the very same type of Mask Cords used in Sabre fencing. Just as in Sabre, the same design of Foil Mask Cords were used to establish an electrical connection between Foil Mask Bib and Foil Lame.

Unlike Epee fencing, Foil and Sabre fencing is challenged to distinguish valid target area from invalid target area. The Mask constitutes a particular challenge since it is not integrally attached to the Lame, which is directly connected to the Central Scoring Machine via the Body Cord. Since part of the Mask is valid target area in Foil (the neck protector “Mask Bib”) and since all of the Mask in Sabre constitutes valid target area, it is necessary to ensure a constant electrical connection between the Mask and the Central Scoring Machine. There is an absolute need for a system through which the Mask (either only the Mask Bib, for Foil, or the entire Mask in Sabre) is directly and unwaveringly connected to the Lame in an a manner that maintains its electrical registrability for scoring purposes at all times during fencing play. Historically, this has been accomplished by “piggybacking” a connection of the Mask to the Central Scoring Machine through the Lame.

The “Mask Cord”, has been relied upon as a “bridge connector” between the Mask and the Central Scoring Machine. One end of the Mask Cord, typically an alligator-type clip, connects to the electrically conductive, steel metal Mask, and the other end of the Mask Cord attached to the Lame. Absent this Mask Cord, the entire Sabre Mask and Bib of a Foil Mask would not reliably register any valid Mask touches as there would be no constant electric current imparted to the Mask, and accordingly, no means of ensuring communication to the Central Scoring Machine of all Mask touches. Absent the Mask Cord, it is still possible that some portion of the electrically conductive Mask Bib (Foil or Sabre) might occasionally/sporadically make contact with the Lame at the time of a valid Mask touch which could result in the imparting of electrical conductivity to the Mask Bib which would permit a touch to the Mask to register on the Central Scoring Machine. It would be unreasonable to expect participants in the sport of fencing to rely upon such imprecise, fortuitous possibilities as a foundational element of a satisfactorily reliable and professional scoring system, however. It is precisely in recognition of the need to banish “luck” in favor of a system that can ensure a constant, reliable connection between Mask and Lame that the Mask Cord was introduced in Sabre and relatively recently introduced in Foil, in order to as competently as possible ensure that valid touches landed get registered on the Central Scoring Machine.

The Sabre/Foil Mask Cord is commonly either a straight or spring-coil-wound electricity-conducting cord having conventional alligator clips on either ends whose teeth clamp onto a portion of a fencer's electrified Lame (on a dedicated “Lame Tab” usually on the back of the Lame collar) with one clip, and clamp onto a fencer's Mask with the other clip, often directly on the Bib in Foil or on the back of the mask (or Bib) in Sabre. Since the introduction of new equipment has not been easily accomplished under the leadership of the previous administrative bodies managing the sport of fencing, and since electrically-scored fencing is only a few decades old, there should not be significant prior art disclosing alternative replacement apparatus for the Mask Cord which has historically been used in Sabre and which has only relatively recently been adopted for electrifying the Foil Mask Bib. There are many disadvantages to this Mask Cord, however, and these are presented in the following section.

In its current incarnation, fencing is a sport that is rife with dissatisfactions regarding competitive scoring—particularly with regard to Sabre and Foil fencing. Given the complex right-of-way rules in Foil and Sabre, in combination with fencers' typically lightning-fast actions, even the most experienced Directors can often find it difficult to observe, recall and interpret fencers' actions so that points are always accurately awarded in a just manner that is satisfactory to all competitors. For this reason, it is important that every innovation which can reduce the chances for disputing a Director's “call” (point award) should be embraced and implemented. The device of this disclosure offers one such innovation because it discloses a more secure and easy-to-use approach than the historical Mask Cord for ensuring a constant electrical connection between the Lame and the Mask while potentially also providing superior safety characteristics for the protection of fencers.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY

The device of this disclosure reveals a new, novel and unobvious electrically conductive Mask-Lame connector, electrically linking a fencer's Mask and Lame, such that when a valid contact is made on a fencer's mask by an opponent's weapon, a signal can be sent to a Central Scoring Machine that will register and indicate such a valid contact.

One object of this disclosure is to introduce an apparatus that doesn't require any changes—or significant changes—to the conventional equipment production processes of fencing equipment manufacturers—other than obviating the need for the conventional Mask Cord, so that this innovative Mask-Lame linking apparatus can be readily adaptable to existing equipment currently in the marketplace.

Yet another object is to introduce a Mask-Lame linking apparatus that can be made easily and sold inexpensively;

Yet a further object is to introduce an apparatus whose use is easier than that of a conventional Mask Cord, whereby connection is effected essentially automatically, simply by a fencer's donning a conventional fencing mask;

Yet another still further object is to introduce a Mask-Lame linking apparatus that will preclude the disruption (either deliberately or inadvertently) of the electrical connection required to indicate a score registered on a Central Scoring Machine during active, scorable play while the Mask is in the fully deployed condition protecting a fencer's head;

Still yet another object is to position a Mask-Lame linking apparatus so that it does not hamper any possible protections afforded by conventional Fencing Jacket, Lame and Mask designs and in fact, to provide enhanced, superior protection to the fencer.

There are many reasons that an innovative, replacement for the currently conventional fencing Mask Cord is needed:

-   -   a) A conventional Mask Cord can be expensive. (Considering that         Mask Cords consist merely of alligator clips attached to either         end of a wire, Mask Cords are currently sold at a retail cost         that is relatively expensive);     -   b) A conventional Mask Cord can get lost or misplaced easily         because of its size, and because when it is not in use during         fencing play, prudent storage procedure dictates that it be         disengaged from the Lame in order not to cause harm to the Lame;     -   c) Given the obvious nature of martial combat, fencing play         reasonably can be quite aggressive, and for this reason, a         conventional Mask Cord is prone to detachment/dislodgment during         play because of its location on the fencer. Dislodgement results         in frequent interference with fencing play and such interference         can not only raise a doubt regarding whether a touch was validly         scored, but it can also pose a danger to spectators because when         a conventional Mask Cord gets knocked-off a fencer's body during         combat, it often can be sent flying into the spectator area.         Moreover, during the initial set-up of play, conventional Mask         Cords are also prone to inadvertent detachment that slows down         the start of play, as fencers must once again test weapons and         thereby confirm that all equipment is, indeed, properly attached         and functioning as is expected.     -   d) A conventional Mask Cord is prone to breaking over time (and         sometimes that time is relatively short!) and when it does, tiny         metal fragments often litter the fencing floor where they pose         hazards both to fencers and to bystanders;     -   e) Possessing just one conventional Mask Cord is insufficient,         since Mask Cords are known to “fail” and consequently, prudent         fencers have spare cords for redundancy in the event of failure         of either the electrical wire or the mechanical alligator clips.         This is especially true for competitions wherein a fencer's bout         can be adversely impacted (even forfeited!) if there is an         equipment failure and no working substitute available in a         timely fashion;     -   f) The use of a conventional Mask Cord can potentially invite         cheating, since one end is typically attached to the back of a         lame behind a fencer, out of easy view of both fencers;     -   g) A conventional Mask Cord serves as an unwelcome diversion to         fencers during bouts since between combat actions, fencers         commonly (and often unconsciously) find their unarmed hand         reflexively reaching to the Mask Cord to continually ensure its         proper attachment to the Mask;     -   h) A conventional Mask Cord's alligator clip uses serrated         “teeth” which chew-up Lame fabric—an expensive fabric which         sometimes needs to be replaced because of spoilage resulting         from contact with the Mask Cord's alligator clip;     -   i) A conventional Mask Cord invites the following unsafe         condition: even some experienced fencers, will sometimes “tempt         fate” by attaching the Mask Cord to the mask and then         encountering a need to dangerously place the mask on the ground         often to adjust a glove or the fit of the Jacket or to tie a         shoe, and in doing so, the coiled form of Mask Cord gets         stretched to its limits and fails, causing the fencer to lose         his or her “bet” that the Mask Cord won't detach from the Mask,         with the result being that the fencer gets unceremoniously hit         in the face by a speedily propelled Mask Cord whose alligator         clip has failed;     -   j) The use of a conventional Mask Cord typically requires that         fencers execute “Mask checks” before starting a bout in order to         validate that the Mask Cords will properly permit the         registration on the Central Scoring Machine of valid touches to         the Masks. Generally accepted custom dictates that the timing of         the “Mask test” is performed at a sub-optimal stage of the         preliminaries, that being before the salute—whereby competitors         respectfully acknowledge each other. As the Jo Mask test is         executed prior to the salute, which by custom is performed with         Masks not yet donned, fencers are obligated to test Masks while         heads and faces are unprotected. Although injuries during the         Mask test are infrequent, nevertheless, the inviting of blade         contact between unprotected rivals constitutes a prospective         risk for which there is no need or legitimate justification         considering that conducting a mask check with masks already on         heads (and thereby protecting the face) after exchanging salutes         is a more prudent—and easily adoptable—approach. By amending the         timing of the Mask test, not only is safety enhanced, but also         chances for deliberate or accidental Mask-disconnection are         reduced. The reason this is the case is that presently, by         custom, after the initial Mask test, fencers proceed to         salutation and only then do they don their masks. In so doing,         competitors often fiddle with their Mask Cords which can result         in the possible disconnection of the Mask from the Lame.         (Typically the disconnection is inadvertent.) By contrast, using         a Mask-Lame linking apparatus as outlined in this disclosure,         fencers could first perform their mutual salutations and only         thereafter don their protective masks, whereupon they would then         execute the Mask test—just prior to starting to fence—and there         would be no need to fiddle with any Mask-Lame Link since the         connection would be essentially instantaneous and automatic.         This evokes the similar “respectful salutation” custom that         boxers engage in by touching gloves and would be performed at         the same stage of the combat, that being immediately prior to         starting a round. In re-arranging the timing for fencing         weapons' testing to a point subsequent to opponent salutations,         there would be zero danger of inadvertent face-gouging of an         unprotected head, and there would be less or no need for         fiddling with any Mask-Lame Link post Mask testing.         For the reasons delineated above, there is an extreme need for         an innovative replacement for the conventionally used Mask Cord.

The innovation of this disclosure identifies a superior apparatus that affords multiple advantages that overcome the above-listed disadvantages. Such advantages include the following:

-   -   1) It is almost impossible to lose since it would be removeably         attached to the Mask; alternatively, it can be removeably         attached to the Lame, and thus, by remaining attached to either         Lame or Mask, it is therefore, less apt to be lost.         (Conventional Mask Cords can easily get lost, and without a Mask         Cord, a Foil or Sabre fencer loses eligibility to compete in         competitions);     -   2) It is inexpensive to produce;     -   3) It has no mechanically operating features that could fail; it         lacks the mechanical elements of alligator clips that are prone         to failure;     -   4) It is concealable, so it cannot get knocked-away by an         opponent's blade which could otherwise result in an fencer's         successful action being discounted by a Director;     -   5) It cannot be inadvertently (or deliberately) inactivated         prior to the bout because the mere, simple act of donning the         Mask would result in an essentially automatic and instantaneous         connection that could only be disengaged by the easy removal of         the Mask. (In an optimal condition, moreover, the Mask test         would occur AFTER the players salute each other, so that the         Mask test would be performed with Masks already donned,         obviating the need to fiddle with any connector post Mask-test.)         A conventional Mask Cord serves as an unwelcome diversion to         fencers during bouts since fencers commonly (and often         unconsciously) between combat actions find their unarmed hand         reflexively reaching to the Mask Cord to continually ensure its         proper attachment to the Mask, whereas the innovation of this         disclosure would relieve fencers of the conscious or reflexively         unconscious impetus to verify the continued, proper connectivity         of the Mask Cord.     -   6) The innovation of this disclosure further establishes that         the connection, while self-executing, nevertheless still permits         the easy separation of Mask and Lame when the Mask is removed         from the head;     -   7) There is currently a trend in fencing safety that has         resulted in collars of fencing jackets that are doubled-over,         thereby creating an exterior collar safety “lip” as a further         “stopgap” into which an opponent's blade ought to slide in the         event that the blade slips past the Mask Bib. In theory, the         opponent's blade is, thus, better-assured to be prevented from         coming into direct contact with an adversary's neck. While such         an additional safeguard that is defined by the fencing Jacket         collar-lip is certainly valuable and especially valuable to Epee         fencers who wear no Lame, it is less valuable for Foil and Sabre         fencers since fencing Jacket necklines in Foil and Sabre are         entirely covered by the Lame. This means that unless such a         collar-lip is also created in the Foil or Sabre Lame—not the         case as of this filing—any security advantage built into the         underlying fencing Jacket (typically white and situated beneath         the metallic Lame) is virtually ineffective as the Lame covers         the entire Foil and Sabre fencing Jacket neck areas. The         innovation of this disclosure affording additional and more         effective protection to the neck area of Foil and Sabre fencers         by better assuring that the Mask Bib remains in contact with the         Lame's collar area at all times during play. According to the         innovation of this disclosure, one means to achieve such a         result is to conceal a thin, yet powerful magnet within the         fencing Jacket neck collar “lip” and have this Jacket         neck-collar magnet interact with a corresponding magnet in a         Mask-Lame Link that is in contact with a Mask Bib—or built         directly into a Mask Bib, which would, thus, have a magnet         embedded into it.

There are a multitude of possible producible embodiments in relation to the innovation of this disclosure, some of which will be presented in greater detail below. In a preferred embodiment, the location of a Mask-Lame Link is most obvious at the neck area of a fencer where the Mask Bib and Lame, essentially, overlap. This overlap at the front of the neck (the face side of the head, not the back of the head) defines a space in-between the Mask Bib's back side and the Lame's front collar. This space is quite small. In fact, when a fencer merely properly dons the mask itself, there is usually actual contact resulting between the Mask-Bib back side and the Lame's front collar. Despite this “natural” contact that invariably results, this contact is not sufficiently reliable on its own to constitute “entirely dependable” or “suredly constant” contact between Lame and Mask for scoring purposes since in order to achieve an “unfair” advantage, a fencer (either unintentionally or by design) could cause a disruption of the electrical contact merely with the jutting-out of his or her chin by, essentially, looking towards the heavens. Such an action would cause the separation of Mask Bib and Lame collar which would result in the Central Scoring Machine becoming unable to register touches to the Mask. However, by inserting into this space an embodiment of the apparatus of this disclosure which is expandable and compressible, a continuous, uninterruptible contact can be established. To preclude cheating and thereby preserve the integrity of fencing scoring, it is essential that fencers be unable to disengage the electrical conductivity of the Mask-Lame connection without removing their Masks so that at all times during play the Mask will be electrically registrable when hit by an opponent's weapon and fencers will retain the same freedom of head movement that they have traditionally enjoyed.

Because it is so critically imperative that the integrity of the connection between Mask-Bib and Lame be unimpeachable, the use of magnets is an excellent option in a preferred embodiment. The property of automatic, mutual attraction that magnets demonstrate results in the creation of a solid, steady and reliable contact. Thus, once connected by magnetic field(s), the Mask-Bib and Lame are effectively inseparable until separation is intended and obvious, through the removal of the Mask. Innovations in the field of magnetics and “printed magnetics” have become relatively well-known, in terms of their capabilities. Those skilled in the magnetic arts filed, for instance, know that some magnets display “non-traditional” properties, including improved strength (i.e. “Neodymium”). Some specialty magnet producers, such as Correlated Magnetics, provide “programmable” magnets that permit relatively recently introduced “new” magnetic interactions, including rotational alignment, twist-to-lock/release, and non-contact “attachment”. In fact, one form even “corrects” mis-alignment such that in the event that magnets are intended to align according to a specific axis and are not precisely aligned, the magnets will compel a correct alignment. In non-contact “attachment”, two magnets can even become “attached” to each other through magnetic field even though they are not in actual physical contact with each other! This is possible because the magnetic fields today may be engineered to automatically “bond” at a pre-determined, yet still-separated distance. Moreover, with the advent of “extra-strength” magnets that have a relatively small size, it is possible to use small, yet powerful magnets embedded directly into the Mask-Bib itself, or as part of a linking system that will allow for removeable electrical connectivity between Mask (or Mask-Bib) and the Lame. It should be emphatically noted that it is not even necessary for the magnets themselves to touch, only for the force of the magnetic fields to interact to ensure the electrical contact between Mask and Lame in such a manner that when the Mask is donned, the electrical link between Mask and Lame is essentially automatic and unbreakable until the Mask is removed. Obviously, care should be taken so that any magnetic field established is not so strong that the Mask removal process becomes burdensome or impedes the traditional degree of freedom of head movement that fencers have traditionally enjoyed.

Such properties are mentioned herein in order to emphasize the fact that there are a multitude of various possible embodiments available to produce the innovation of this disclosure. Whether the electrical conductive system relies upon magnets or a hook & loop (“Velcro”-type) fastening system, the ultimate goal is the introduction of a “tamper-proof” system since the preservation of the constant contact between Mask and Lame is in the interest of each fencer's opponent. That is to say, while a fencer wears an electrical scoring system, any malfunction that inhibits the electrical registration of an opponent's weapon-strike, inures to the benefit of the fencer and to the detriment of the opponent. Thus, each fencer needs to feel confident that the scoring system on each opponent will competently register any “touches” that the fencers land on the opponent's target area—in Foil and Sabre, that is the Mask and Lame. Fencing is a sport in which the action is fast, and indeed, often furious, and scored by fallible human observation. Accordingly there has traditionally existed significant frustrations with the quality of the refereeing (“Directing”). For this reason, it is essential that the scoring system that registers touches (or lack thereof) be incorruptible and not susceptible to challenge. The apparatus of this disclosure is tamper-resistant and superior to the current technology partly since once the Mask is donned, the electrical connectivity with the Lame is automatically established and unbreakable until the Mask is removed; when Mask-removal is desired, separation between Mask and Lame is easily achieved.

This invention is novel. While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only. It may be appreciated and understood that many changes and modification of the invention as described herein may be made by a person skilled in the art to which this subject matter pertains without substantially deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention and of the following claims. As the preferred embodiment is capable of variation, addition, omission and modification without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, consequently, it is not the intention of the applicant to limit this invention to those modes and embodiments of the invention shown or described above. Protection is desired for all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1—Discloses an illustration of a side view of a female fencer wearing a conventional Sabre Mask and a conventional Sabre Lame having a visible Lame “Tab” extended at the back of the neck area of the Lame, suitable for receiving one “alligator clip” end of a conventional Mask Cord. Also visible is a portion of a clip that contacts a metal portion of the mask from a version of the innovation of this disclosure that permits the innovation of this disclosure to pass an electrical current to a conventional fencing mask.

FIG. 2—Discloses an illustration of a side view of a conventional Mask Cord having one “alligator clip” end attached to a conventional Sabre Mask, and the other attached to a Lame Tab.

FIG. 3—Illustrates a fencer tilting her head upwards towards the ceiling or sky; nevertheless, despite such an upwards-tilting chin action, the Mask is shown to remain in constant, electrically conductive contact with the Lame because fabric which is either integrally attached to the Mask or Mask-Bib, or which has been attached onto the Mask or Mask-Bib preserves the electrical connection between the Mask and Lame irrespective of how the fencer tilts or twists her head. Said fabric may possess magnetic or other fastening means in order to function, but such magnetic or other fastening means is not required.

FIG. 4—Discloses a fencer tilting her head upwards towards the ceiling or sky; despite such an upwards-tilting chin action, the Mask is shown to remain in constant, electrically conductive contact with the Lame, nevertheless, because the configuration of the plastic (or metal and plastic combined) conduction rod is such that it flexes to preserve contact with the Lame at all times that the Mask is worn by the fencer. The conduction rod could be coated, if it is, among the possible coatings is a conductive liquid sprayed or a copper wire wrapped around it.

FIG. 5—Discloses an illustration of a fencer tilting her head upwards towards the ceiling or sky and in doing so, she reveals that the Mask-Lame Link (in the form of a Lame-Envelope containing a Spongy Ball) expands to fill the gap-space that is created between her chin and neck. Such a gap-space filling action precludes the fencer's somehow disrupting the electrical connectivity between Mask and Lame, a circumstance which could otherwise occur if there were no connection-preservation means (such as this expansion) to ensure that the Mask-Lame affords an uninterruptible constancy of the electrical connectivity between Mask and Lame;

FIG. 6—Discloses the same fencer as in FIG. 5, but with the fencer's head facing forward and the chin, therefore in a “normal” position making eye-contact with her opponent, neither looking upwards, nor downwards. Accordingly, the “airy”, sponge-like Mask-Lame Link situated beneath her chin and her throat is compressed by the Mask-Bib's pressing it against the upper-chest area. Although compressed, the sponge-like characteristic of the Mask-Lame Link whereby the sponge strives to counter-oppose its compression, results in the effect that the electrical contact between Mask and Lame is at all times maintained so that the electrical current in the Lame continually passes to Mask which, thus, becomes electrically conductive to permit the registration of any contact by an opponent's weapon.

FIG. 7—Discloses an “anterior view” of the inside of a Mask as seen by a fencer about to don the Mask, and discloses the Mask-Bib containing a pliable embodiment of the apparatus of this disclosure in the fully extended position. This embodiment may be of metal with a spring hinge or may be of injection molded plastic having an electric-conductive coating and a living hinge. This embodiment expands to maintain contact with chest area upon the Mask's being put-on by the fencer and requires no magnetic aspect. It could, in fact, be built into the Mask Bib.

FIG. 8—Discloses a sponge-like ball having on its exterior a metallic coating capable of conducting electricity.

FIG. 9—Discloses the same sponge-like ball having on its exterior a metallic coating capable of conducting electricity, but also disclosing a sealable/re-sealable aperture suitable for receiving and holding a magnet.

FIG. 10—Discloses an electrically conductive fabric sheet having magnets glued onto it (or two sheets sewn or glued together—or otherwise sealed—with a magnet(s) in-between) so that when the Mask is worn by the fencer, the electrically conductive fabric with the magnets gets attracted to corresponding magnets on the interior of the Lame, and therefore physical contact between said electrically conductive fabric sheet and the Lame results in electrical current passing from Lame to Mask.

FIG. 11—Discloses how the embodiment represented in FIG. 10 can be affixed to a conventional Mask without requiring amendments to the current manufacturing process of Masks, since the affixing clips are of an electricity-conducting material such as metal.

FIG. 12—Discloses an embodiment with similar principles to that of FIG. 10, except that instead of using electrically conductive fabric sheeting, an electrically conductive wire having a having a metal endpoint that is magnetic at its “free” end is used which can interact in an attractive way with magnets on the interior of the Lame or the Lip of the Fencing Jacket.

FIG. 13—Discloses how the disclosure in FIG. 12 would look when attached to a conventional Mask and prior to connection when so desired for play.

FIG. 14—Discloses the prospective placement of the corresponding magnets that get placed inside the Lame for attracting the electrically conductive fabric sheet or wire of FIGS. 10-13. Such a “neck pocket” in the lame could be re-sealable to permit any magnetic sheet or magnet to be removed when washing of the Lame is desired. Such a Lame “neck pocket” would not be necessary if the placement of the magnetic item were in the Fencing Jacket Lip.

FIG. 15—Discloses a magnetic envelope into which magnets may be placed.

FIG. 16—Discloses a “spongey ball” that can be inserted along with a magnet inside an “envelope” of electrically conductive fabric having its edges sealed along the periphery to maintain the contents within. The function of the magnets is to further ensure that electrical conductivity between Mask and Lame is preserved since the magnet located within the envelope interacts with the corresponding partner magnet that is situated on a fencer's stand-alone necklace worn by the fencer, on or within the fencing Jacket or on or within the Lame. The foam or sponge-like ball need not necessarily be round, and a magnet may not necessarily be required. Alternatively, a hook-and-loop fastening system as disclosed in upcoming FIG. 18 may be used to ensure that an electrical connection between Mask and Lame is preserved despite even the most jarring of fencer head movements.

FIG. 17—Discloses a spongey ball about to be encased within an “envelope” of electrically conductive fabric. The second image illustrates the envelope of conventional Lame fabric after magnet and spongy ball have been “sealed” within;

FIG. 18—Discloses an alternate embodiment of that disclosed in FIG. 16, which is more oval and triangular than round, as the shape made by the conventional Mask-Bib is an “ovally triangular” shape. Instead of magnets, hook-and-loop fastening is disclosed, and this fastening means may be situated on the exterior of the Lame or the interior of the Mask Bib;

FIG. 19—Discloses the interior of a Mask Bib adapted to receive the embodiment of this innovation as described in FIG. 18.

FIG. 20—Discloses magnets “built” into the interior of a Mask Bib.

FIG. 21—Discloses a mask containing a “safety strap” on the back, designed to snap shut and lie across the back of a fencer's neck in order to inhibit or preclude a fencer's ability to dangerously reveal the neck area when a fencer tilts his or her head backwards which, during play, could potentially subject a fencer's throat to the danger of being hit by an opponent's weapon;

FIG. 22—Discloses a magnet removeably affixed to, integrally attached to or fabricated within the safety strap referenced in FIG. 21 and having safety strap configured with means to permit it to conduct electricity between Mask and Lame.

FIG. 23—Discloses an interior “x-ray”-view of the safety strap of FIG. 21 formed of a strong strap covered by an circular envelope of conventional lame material with a magnet contained within that can correspond to a partner magnet located within the back collar of a conventional Lame.

FIG. 24—Discloses an exterior view of conventional Lame material forming part of a Mask Safety Strap.

FIG. 25—Discloses the operation of the Mask Safety Strap of FIG. 24 containing a magnet and the corresponding magnet within the neck area of the Lame.

FIG. 26—Discloses a rubber or plastic “balloon” inflated with air or gas or a mixture thereof which can replace, or be used in conjunction with a spongy ball that strive s to expand despite compression, in order to ensure constant contact while functioning as a Mask-Lame Link.

FIG. 27—Discloses yet another embodiment of metal or pliable plastic strips joint at either end at a hub and having an electrically conductive coating) that can be used on its own or as a replacement within an electrically conductive envelope for said spongy ball.

FIG. 28—Discloses the embodiment of FIG. 27 when compressed.

FIG. 29—Discloses yet another, further embodiment of a compressible “ball”-like element which can function to maintain an electrically conductive Mask-Lame Link.

FIG. 30—Discloses a spongy ball having a hub and spoke configuration displaying electrically conductive metal tubes or metal-coated plastic tubes having an electrically conductive elastomeric material threaded within, thereby uniting the tubes into electrically conductive unitary manner.

FIG. 31—Discloses magnets in the collar area of the Lame.

FIG. 32—Discloses a steel plate(s) in the collar area of the Lame suitable for attracting a magnet within the Mask-Lame Link.

FIG. 33—Discloses a foldable piece of electrically conductive fabric that forms an envelope having hook and loop attaching means inside flanking magnets so that when the electrically conductive fabric is folded over the Masks securing strap in the back of the mask, magnets are contained within that interact with Partner Magnets contained within the fencing Jacket Lip, thereby maintaining constant electrical connection between mask and Lame; the envelope can include a wire that can attach to the Bib of a Mask or the back of a Mask.

Magnet 22 Partner Magnet 23 Envelope 24 Spongy Ball 26 Lame 28 Mask 30 Rod-Clip 32 Electrically Conductive Fabric 34 Conductive Rod 36 Fencing Jacket Lip 38 Mask Bib 40 Mask Bib Flap 42 Mask Bib Exterior Panel 44 Mask Bib Interior Panel 48 Strap 50 Strong Strap 52 Lame Tab 54 Hook-Eye Fastener 56 Lame Collar 60 Alligator Clip 62 Hook & Loop Fastener 82 Mask Head Holder 90 Steel Sheet 92 Hook and Loop 94

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In a preferred embodiment, the electrical connection established between Mask and Lame is achieved by the Mask Lame Link which obviates the need for aELEC conventional Mask Cord (which conventional Mask Cord consists of a wire having two traditional alligator clips—one on either end) through the use of the innovation of this disclosure which not only ensures a constant electrical connection between Mask and Lame, but which also affords superior safety to fencers by reducing the danger of a fencer's neck and head being subjected to peril during play by limiting—if not precluding entirely—the chances for a fencing mask to tip-upwards and thereby reveal the vulnerable neck.

In a preferred embodiment, the electrically conductive Mask-Lame Link relies on a conventional sponge (“Spongy Ball 26”) having a horizontal slit cut into the side of it emanating 25% away from the center of both sides of the center point, to the depth of about the center of Spongy Ball 26. Then Spongy Ball 26 is dipped into conventional water-conductive ink in a solution that is approximately 50% conventional electrically conductive ink and 50% water in order to facilitate absorption of the ink. (If this dipping is being done by humans, gloves can be worn as water-conductive ink can be messy.) After the entire exterior of Spongy Ball 26 is coated and the excess liquid has been squeezed-out, it should be allowed to dry. The drying time depends on the temperature of the room and type of material of Spongy Ball 26. After the drying process is complete, the exterior coating will conduct a sufficient electrical current to permit current from Lame 28 to pass to Mask 30, which, conventionally, is made of electrically conductive steel. (Alternatively, Spongy Ball 26 may be thermal spray-coated using a conventional an electric-conducting solution such as copper, a method well-known in the art. The goal is to create a fully electrically conductive exterior coat so that irrespective of the positioning of the Mask-Lame Link, the exterior of Spongy Ball 26 is able simultaneously to interact at any point with Mask Bib Interior Panel 48 and Lame 28.)

Into the slit in Spongy Ball 26 is inserted Magnet 22, after which the slit is sealed with conventional glue. Spongy Ball 26 will, further, retain its compressive, deformable properties such that when it is positioned in use during fencing play, it will be easily compressed and not even noticeable by the fencer—and this will be even more true when a lighter and/or thinner sponge material is used. Yet, if the fencer tilts his or her head so that the chin is moved away from the chest area, Spongy Ball 26 will re-expand from its compressed state to fill the widened space so that the electrical current between Mask 30 and Lame 28 will not be disrupted. Because Magnet 22 located inside Spongy Ball 26 is attracted to Partner Magnet 23, this relationship preserves and ensures a constant electrical contact while Mask 30 is donned up until Mask 30 is removed. Magnets 22 and 23 may be “extra powerful” neodymium magnets. Moreover, magnet technology today permits the “programming” of magnetics such that it is possible for magnets to achieve a “bond” by magnetic field, even without their touching. Thus, even if there are fabric barriers in-between Magnets 22 and 23, the magnets can still adequately achieve their goal of causing the passing of a stable electrical current from Lame 28 to Mask 30. Partner Magnet 23 or Steel Sheet 92 can be located in between Lame 28 and Fencing Jacket Lip 38 or, indeed, within Fencing Jacket Lip 38. Spongy Ball 26 can be large enough that in position, it can come in contact at all times with some portion of Mask 30, or a piece of Electrically Conductive Fabric 34 can wrap-around from Mask Bib Exterior Panel 44 to Mask Bib Interior Panel 48 and can thereby be available to directly interact with Spongy Ball 26.

In another embodiment, a conventional, deformable a triangular wedge of foam or sponge can be wrapped inside an envelope of two sheets of Electrically Conductive Fabric 34, which can be conventional metallic Lame 28 fabric well-known in the art. The two sheets can be cut into the shape of two triangles having rounded corners and sides measuring Approximately 4 inches per side. These substantially triangular sheets form the front and back panels that can be conventionally sewn or glued around their peripheral edges into an Envelope 24 thereby defining a cavity for containing a combination of 1) a very pliable, sponge-like element, Spongey Ball 26, which is readily and easily compressible and also Magnet 22. This serves as an extremely inexpensive means to entirely fill the space in-between the back of the fencer's Mask Bib 40 and the chest area that is typically covered by Mask Bib 40. Envelope 24 gets situated in-between the exterior of Lame Collar 60 and Mask Bib 40, resting against Mask Bib Interior Panel 48. As result of the expansive characteristics of Spongey Ball 26, the Electrically Conductive Fabric 34 of Envelope 24 remains in constant contact with both Lame Collar 60 and Mask Bib 40, by virtue of its contact with Mask Bib Interior Panel 48. Thus, even if a fencer were to jut-out or raise his or her chin by looking towards the ceiling, for instance, no break in contact would ensue.

In yet another alternate embodiment, Envelope 24 contains Magnet 23 capable of attracting Magnet 22. Envelope 24 containing Magnet 23 is positioned within Fencing Jacket Lip 38 which, in turn, gets covered by Lame Collar 60. Envelope 24 strives to maintain contact with fencing Mask 30 by virtue of Magnet 22 contained within Spongey Ball 26 which is pierced through its center by Rod-Clip 32 that pierces the center of. Rod-Clip 32 that attaches to Mask 30. Rod-Clip 32 is made of steel, having a curved element suitable for permitting its attachment to Mask Bib 40. When Rod-Clip 32 is attached to Mask Bib 40, an electric contact is established between Mask Bib 40, Rod-Clip 32 and its surrounding Spongy Ball 26 that stays is in contact with Lame 28 by virtue of the magnetic bond between Magnet 22 in Spongy Ball 26 and Magnet 23 inside Envelope 24.

In still another alternate embodiment, Mask Bib 40 is manufactured having its Bib Interior Panel 48 (that being the side facing the collar of Lame 28) made substantially of Electrically Conductive Fabric 34, and within the envelope formed from its being joined to a Bib Exterior Panel 46, Magnet 22 is sewn inside. By conventionally encasing a magnet inside Mask Bib 40 using sewing or glue known in the art, Interior Back Panel 46 can bond with Lame 28 through a magnetic bond with Magnet 23 or Steel Sheet 92 contained within Fencing Jacket Lip 38.

In yet another alternate embodiment, Electrically Conductive Fabric 34 covers Strong Strap 50. Within Envelope 24 that is subsequently formed, Magnet 22 is situated. Magnet 22 comes in contact with the collar of Lame 28, and its contact with Lame 28 is maintained either by use of Magnet 23 or Steel Sheet 92 within Fencing Jacket Lip 38, or hook-eye fastening. Envelope 24 may be formed in a multitude of shapes including but not limited to cylindrical, essentially 2-D circular. Optimally, it should be cigar-shaped, having both ends glued or sewn, or it can be made to be removeably attachable/detachable, using hook and loop fastening means. The magnetic attraction in this embodiment causes Strap 50 to maintain contact with the fencer's Lame 28 back collar area so long as the fencing mask is being worn by a fencer. 

I claim:
 1. Apparatus for electrically connecting a fencing mask to an electrical fencing jacket (“lame”) in the sport of fencing comprising: material; means for said material to permit the consistent passage of electrical current; means for securing said material between a fencing mask and a lame so that during play, the material does not accidentally or deliberately lose contact with either said fencing mask or said lame which would thereby disrupt said electrical current.
 2. Apparatus for electrically connecting a fencing mask to an electrical fencing jacket (“lame”) in the sport of fencing comprising: material; means for said material to permit the consistent passage of electrical current; means for securing said material between a fencing mask and a lame so that during play, the material does not accidentally or deliberately lose contact with either said fencing mask or said lame which would thereby disrupt said electrical current; the substantial concealment of said material by said mask so that an opponent's weapon-strike cannot disengage it from either said fencing mask or said lame.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said material is a pliant, compressible material which returns to its original condition post-compression; said means for said material to permit the consistent passage of electrical current is metallic thread. said means for securing said material between a fencing mask and a lame so that said material does not accidentally or deliberately lose contact with either said fencing mask or said lame during play is magnetic.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein: said substantial concealment of said material by said mask is achieved by positioning said material behind the mask-bib.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said material is a pliant, bendable material which returns to its original position subsequent to its bending; said means for said material to permit the consistent passage of electrical current is metallic coating; said means for securing said material between a fencing mask and a lame so that said material does not accidentally or deliberately lose contact with either said fencing mask or said lame during play is conventional hook-and-loop fastening; said material is removably connectable to said lame and said mask.
 6. Apparatus for electrically connecting a fencing mask to an electrical fencing jacket (“lame”) in the sport of fencing comprising: material; means for said material to permit the consistent passage of electrical current; means for securing said material between a fencing mask and a lame so that during play, the material does not accidentally or deliberately lose contact with either said fencing mask or said lame which would thereby disrupt said electrical current; said material is removably connectable to said lame and said mask. 